Luca – The Disney Pixar animated film

Luca, a 2021 animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios in collaboration with Walt Disney Pictures, is a story that not only captures the essence of youth, but also the beauty and atmosphere of the Ligurian Riviera. Directed by Enrico Casarosa, making his feature film directorial debut, Luca tells the adventurous story of a young sea monster, Luca Paguro, who has the surprising ability to take on human form when he finds himself on land.

The plot focuses on Luca's exploration, together with his new friends Alberto Scorfano and Giulia Marcovaldo, of the picturesque town of Portorosso. Set in the splendid Ligurian Riviera, the film reflects Casarosa's childhood memories in Genoa, transporting the viewer on an unforgettable journey between the sea, friendship and summer adventures.

The voice talent behind the main characters includes Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer and Emma Berman, with additional support from artists such as Maya Rudolph, Saverio Raimondo, Marco Barricelli and Sacha Baron Cohen. Animation itself was influenced not only by Italy's cultural and environmental richness, but also by animation styles such as those of Hayao Miyazaki and stop motion. Casarosa described Luca as a tribute to the greats of Italian cinema such as Federico Fellini, but with a Miyazaki touch.

The creation of Portorosso was not accidental. Multiple teams of Pixar artists visited the Ligurian Riviera to research and immerse themselves deeply in the culture and environment, ensuring an authentic and compelling portrait of the region. Furthermore, sea monsters, symbols of feeling different and unique, were loosely inspired by Italian regional myths and legends.

One notable fact is that the film was developed and produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which required the animators and creators to work remotely. The evocative score was composed by Dan Romer, adding another level of depth to the cinematic experience.

Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, Luca saw a premiere at the Genoa Aquarium on June 13, 2021 and, shortly thereafter, was released on the Disney+ streaming platform on June 18. This move proved fruitful, with the film being warmly received by critics and audiences alike, praising its detailed animation, nostalgic atmosphere and stunning depiction of the Ligurian Riviera. In fact, it became the most watched film in streaming of 2021, and received several nominations, including Best Animated Film at both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.

The story of the film “Luca”

We retrace the picturesque streets of the Ligurian Riviera in the 50s, where the film "Luca", set in the colorful town of Portorosso, offers us a story that blends magic, friendship and discovery. Luca Paguro, protagonist of the film, is a young sea monster who spends his days in the calm waters of the Ligurian Sea. But Luca's life is destined to change radically when he meets Alberto Scorfano, another sea monster, who reveals an extraordinary secret to him: upon contact with the air, their appearance transforms into a human one.

Attracted by the curiosity and charm of life on earth, the two friends venture to Portorosso. Between dream and reality, they wish to own a Vespa, a symbol of freedom and adventure, and travel across the world. The discovery of Luca's secret excursions on land worries his parents, who plan to send him to live in the depths of the sea to protect him. But Luca, indomitable, decides to escape and, together with Alberto, immerses himself in the adventures of Portorosso.

Their terrestrial life is not without challenges. Among the lively streets of the village, the two friends clash with Ercole Visconti, the local bully and champion of the "Portorosso Cup", a competition featuring swimming, eating pasta and cycling. But a young girl, Giulia Marcovaldo, places herself between Ercole and the two friends, joining them in the hope of winning the title and, with it, the much desired Vespa.

With Giulia, the story takes an unexpected turn. While Luca becomes more and more fond of Giulia, even dreaming of attending school with her, jealousy arises in Alberto, leading him to reveal her true self to the girl. The dynamic between the three becomes complicated when Giulia also discovers Luca's true nature. But despite moments of tension, friendship triumphs.

The climax of the film arrives during the "Portorosso Cup", when a sudden rain threatens to reveal to everyone the true identity of the two boys. Between races, dangers and solidarity, the protagonists show us the true meaning of friendship and acceptance.

The essence of “Luca” is a hymn to friendship, discovery and acceptance. With a backdrop of Ligurian landscapes and a warm, enveloping atmosphere, the film transports us to an Italian summer where anything is possible, where adventures embrace the unexpected and magic exists both below and above the water.

The characters of the film

Set in the beautiful waters and villages of Liguria, Pixar's animated film “Luca” presents us with a cast of colorful and soulful characters who capture the essence of adventure and discovery.

Luca Paguro: This shy 13 year old boy is not your typical teenager. He comes from an underwater world, a hidden and fascinating reality. Although he has always lived with the warning that the human world is a dangerous place, Luca's curiosity knows no bounds. When he is on land, he absorbs every detail of Portorosso and dreams of adventures together with his new friend Alberto.

Alberto Scorfano: Two years older than Luca, Alberto is the key to opening the door to the human world for Luca. He is enthusiastic, carefree and has a strong desire to explore, but behind his mask of security lies a story of loneliness and abandonment.

Giulia Marcovaldo: The vibrant little girl from Portorosso is the personification of adventure. With her thirst for knowledge and her indomitable spirit, she quickly becomes a beacon of friendship and guidance for Luca and Alberto, teaching them the beauties and challenges of the human world.

Ercole Visconti: There is no story without an antagonist and Hercules takes on this role. Pompous, arrogant and obsessed with his image, he represents the obstacles that Luca and his friends must overcome to make their dreams come true.

Massimo Marcovaldo: With his imposing figure, Massimo might seem like a threat at first glance. However, beneath his tough exterior lies a tender and loving heart, which has only the best interest in his daughter, Giulia.

Daniela and Lorenzo Paguro: Luca's protective parents represent security and unconditional love. Their concern for their child's well-being reflects the challenges every parent faces, trying to find a balance between protecting and letting go.

Ciccio, Guido and Mrs Marseillaise: Each story has its own secondary characters that add depth and color to the narrative arc. Whether it's Hercules' faithful acolytes or the organizer of the Portorosso Cup, each character has a role to play in Luca's tale.

Libera and Ugo Paguro: We can't forget Luca's wise grandmother and wacky, abysmal uncle, who together add a touch of humor and wisdom to the plot.

In “Luca,” Pixar has masterfully intertwined unique personalities and fascinating stories, creating a world where sea monsters and humans can coexist, learn and grow together. Through the adventures and lessons of these characters, the film invites us to explore, dream, and, above all, find beauty in diversity and acceptance.

Production

Inspiration and Development

When talking about animation masterpieces, we cannot fail to mention Pixar. And in 2020, the animation giant presented to the world “Luca”, a fascinating story set in the picturesque Ligurian Riviera. Enrico Casarosa, the director of "Luca", revealed that the film takes inspiration directly from his childhood in Genoa. In fact, the main characters, Luca and Alberto, are based on himself and his best friend Alberto Surace respectively.

The feature film is not only an exploration of youth and friendship, but is also a celebration of Italian summers, full of beaches, adventures and discoveries. This summer nostalgia is made even more tangible thanks to the influences of cinematic masters such as Federico Fellini and Hayao Miyazaki, who inspired Casarosa in the creation of the film.

Field research

To ensure the film's setting was as authentic as possible, a team of Pixar artists embarked on an exploratory journey to the Ligurian Riviera. This journey allowed them to capture the essence of the landscapes, culture and people, infusing realism and authenticity into every scene of “Luca”.

Design and Animation

While the setting was key, it was equally crucial to bring the characters to life in a unique way. Luca's design took a year to finalize, with Casarosa seeking to capture the essence of a dreamy, introspective young man. Pixar artists also faced the challenge of depicting the characters' transformation from sea creatures to humans, a process that required numerous iterations and experimentation.

Miyazaki's influences were evident not only in the plot, but also in the design and animation. Casarosa and his team sought to infuse a hand-crafted feel into the film, moving away from the perfection often associated with computer animation and towards a more organic and personal style.

Themes and Narration

At the center of “Luca” there is a universal theme: self-acceptance. Sea monsters represent a metaphor for feeling "different", a feeling that many, particularly during adolescence, can understand. Casarosa highlighted how the film talks about acceptance, not only of oneself but also of the community. Through the adventures of Luca and Alberto, the film invites the viewer to reconsider their preconceptions and celebrate diversity.

In conclusion, “Luca” is an animated treasure that takes the viewer on a journey between sea and land, between friendship and growth. Through Casarosa's vision, Pixar continues to prove that well-told stories, based on authentic experiences and genuine emotions, have the power to touch the hearts of everyone who watches them.

Directed by Oscar® nominee Enrico Casarosa (The Moon) and produced by Andrea Warren (Lava, Cars 3), the new animated feature film from Disney and Pixar Luca will arrive this summer in Italian cinemas.
 
Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, the original animated film is the story of a young boy who lives an experience of personal growth during an unforgettable summer surrounded by ice cream, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his new best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deep secret: they are sea monsters from another world located just below the surface of the water.

Luke is a 2021 American computer-animated coming-of-age fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. The film was directed by Enrico Casarosa (in his feature film directorial debut), produced by Andrea Warren, and written by Jesse Andrews and Mike Jones from a story by Casarosa, Andrews and Simon Stephenson. Starring the voices of Jacob Tremblay and Jack Dylan Grazer, with Emma Berman, Saverio Raimondo, Marco Barricelli, Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, Peter Sohn, Lorenzo Crisci, Marina Massironi and Sandy Martin in supporting roles. Set on the Italian Riviera, the film centers on Luca Paguro (Tremblay), a young sea monster boy with the ability to assume human form while on land, who explores the city of Portorosso with his new best friends, Alberto Scorfano (Dylan grazer). and Giulia Marcovaldo (Berman), experiencing a life-changing summer adventure.

Luca draws inspiration from Casarosa's childhood in Genoa, Italy; several Pixar artists were sent to the Italian Riviera gathering research from Italian culture and milieu to create Portorosso, the main setting. Sea monsters, a "metaphor for feeling different," were loosely based on ancient Italian regional myths and folklore. As with La Luna (2011), the design and animation were inspired by hand-drawn and stop motion works and the style of Hayao Miyazaki. Casarosa described the result as a film that "pays homage to Federico Fellini and other classic Italian directors, with even a dash of Miyazaki in the mix." Luca's development spanned five years, with production done remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dan Romer composed the score for the film.

Luca premiered at the Genoa Aquarium on June 13, 2021 and was originally slated for a theatrical release in the United States on June 18, 2021. However, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the film was released direct-streaming on Disney+. It also had a week-long simulcast at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, June 18-24, 2021. It was released theatrically in countries without the streaming service.

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its visuals, voice acting, and nostalgic feel. It was also the most-watched streamed film of 2021, with over 10,6 billion minutes watched. The film was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 79th Golden Globe and 94th Academy Awards, but lost both awards to Encanto (2021). A related short film featuring Alberto, titled Ciao Alberto, was released on Disney+ on November 12, 2021.

History

In about the summer of 1959, shy child sea monster Luca Paguro raises goatfish off the coast of the Italian city of Portorosso. His parents forbid him to go near the surface, fearing that he might be hunted down by humans. One day Luca meets Alberto Scorfano, a child sea monster who lives alone in an abandoned tower on the mainland. When Alberto encourages Luca to venture out of the ocean, he discovers that sea monsters turn into humans as long as they are dry. Luca starts sneaking out to meet Alberto and they become friends, wanting to own a Vespa and travel the world.

After discovering their son's actions, Luca's parents decide to send him to live in the abyss with his uncle Ugo. In retaliation, Luca runs away from home with Alberto to hide in Portorosso. The boys clash with Ercole Visconti, the local bully and five-time champion of the Portorosso Cup, a triathlon of swimming, pasta-eating and cycling. When Ercole tries to bathe Luca in a fountain, Giulia Marcovaldo, a little girl, stops him. Hoping to win the money needed for a Vespa, the boys team up with Giulia for the triathlon.

Giulia invites them to stay at her house and introduces her fisherman father, Massimo, who has a grudge against sea monsters. Meanwhile, Luca's parents infiltrate the city in search of their son. Giulia and Luca bond over their love of learning, making Alberto jealous. When Luca shows interest in attending school, Alberto intentionally reveals his sea monster form to Giulia to prevent it. Unwilling to give up, Luca feigns surprise at being with Giulia, and a betrayed Alberto flees as the band of Ercole show up and try to hunt him down. Heartbroken, Alberto destroys everything in his hideout. Shortly afterwards Giulia discovers that Luca is also a sea monster and she sends him away to save him.

The comment of the director Casarosa

"This is a deeply personal story to me, not only because it is set on the Italian Riviera where I grew up, but because at the heart of this film is a celebration of friendship. Childhood friendships often set the course of who we want to become and it is precisely in those bonds that are at the center of our story Luca“Said Casarosa. "So, in addition to the beauty and charm of the Italian sea, our film will present an unforgettable summer adventure that will radically change Luca."

Here are the first images and the Italian poster of the film

The video trailer of Luca from Disney Pixar

The cast of Luca's Italian dubbing